Game of skill



W. L. SCOTT GAME OF SKILL Aug. 7, 1934.

Filed Aug.

51, 1931 2 sfieets -sheet uzaN mam W. L. SCOTT GAME OF SKILL Aug. 7, 1934.

Filed Aug. 31, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet an E Inventor u xx w Allameyg Patented Aug. 7,1934:-

1,909,429 GAME or sxl'm.

Walter L. Scott, Long Beach, Calif.

Application August 31,

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a game apparatus for playing a game of skill, or a game testing the mental ability of the players.

In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus it enables a game, simulating football, to be played, in which the advance or progress of a player does not depend upon mere chance, but depends upon his knowledge of the real game of football.

While the game apparatus, as described in the following specification, applies the principles of the invention to the game of football, the same apparatus could be readily adapted to playing any other game, such as base ball, hockey, or any other game in which the judgment and knowledge of the game possessed by one of the players is to be compared'with the corresponding knowledge of the opposing player. 4

The apparatus can also readily be applied to games of simple character in which the apparatus is operated so as to indicate a certain suggested question and the correct answer.

The apparatus, however, is preferably constructed so that the correct answer is not in plain view immediately when a question, or problem, has been put to the player.

The general object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus of simple construction which will enable a game of skill to be played or a game testing the judgment of the players.

In a preferred form of the apparatus, it includes relatively movable parts having divisions, or segments, carrying associated conditions supposed to surround the play at different times in the progress of the game, and the apparatus,

in operation, suggests a certain play under certain corresponding associate conditions. The player is required to grade the correctness of the indicated play in accordance with his best judgment. The correctness of his judgments of the play are compared with that of a recognized authority. A further object of the invention is to provide a simple apparatus for accomplishing this result and for enabling the associated con- 5 ditions corresponding to different suggested plays, to be varied.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple game apparatus for enabling players to test their relative knowledge of the real game of football.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple apparatus for coaching players in any branch of activity, such as the intricate game of football, or for testing the knowledge of arithme- 5 tic or geography, or any other subject.

1931, Serial No. 560,275

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists of novel parts and combinations of parts to be described hereinafter. all of which contribute to produce an eflicient game of skill.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the following specification, while the broad scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, I

Figure 1 is a plan of a game board embodying features of my invention, and illustrating the game board which is employed when the invention is adapted for playing the game of football;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken through the board on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

' Figure 3 is a plan upon an enlarged scale indicating a segment of the board, the adjacent portion of the board being broken away;

Figure 4 is a plan showing the middle portion of a board adapted for testing the relative faculties of the players in answering arithmetical problems. In other words, for testing the ability of the players in mental arithmetic;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but illustrating a simple adaptation of the game in which simple questions are suggested and answers presented on the opposite side of the board.

Referring more particularly to the parts, and especially to Figure 1, 1 indicates a board embodying my invention and adapted for playing a game simulating football, and at one side of this board 1 a flap 2 is provided which may be secured to the board 1 by hinges 3 enabling the board or flap 2 to be folded over the board 1 when not in use.

The board 2 is formed with a field 4 representing a football field and divided by lines corresponding to the yard lines of a football field. In addition to this, the board is preferably provided with longitudinal lines 5 an equal distance apart which are useful in locating the ball when it is not in the center of the field.

The board 1 is provided at each side with a dial 6 and a cooperating pointer 7 for indicating downs" of the play. In addition to this, at each side of the board another dial 8 is provided having numbers progressively from zero, and cooperating with these numbers are two pointers 9 and 10, the former of which may be marked with a D for indicating first downs, and the latter of which may be marked with an S to indicate that it is to be used for scoring. In other words, for indicating the score of the player on each adjacent side of the board. While it is not essential, the

game is preferably played by using a die 11 that indicates the football and which can be placed anywhere on the field 4 of the board 2. It is also preferable to provide a small line indicator 12 which has a length corresponding to yards, one

edge of which is divided into equal divisions cor-; responding to the 5 yards between the 5-yard lines of the field. In using the die and the line indicater, the line indicator is laid on the board so that it extends from the ball in the direction in which the ball is to be advanced when put in play.

The surface of the board 1 is divided into a plurality of rings, such as the rings indicated generally by the numeral 13. These rings are concentric and are divided into corresponding segments which may be described more in detail hereinafter. The entire circumference of the board is preferably divided into 40 segments so that for each segment on one side of the center of the board there is a corresponding segment diametrically opposite to the segment, on the other side. The rings13 include the play ring 14 which carries segments 14a which are numbered in succession from one to forty and each of these segments bears a legend suggesting a football play, for example, quick punt" (see Figure 3). Adjacent to the ring 14 and preferably at its outer edge another ring 15 is provided divided into segments corresponding to the segments of the ring 14 and the segments of this ring 15 carry means for indicating different associated conditions of play. For example, the segment 16 of Figure 3 on this ring 15 carries two boxes" 1'7 and 18 indicating the score, the box 1'! indicating the score of the player seated on the adjacent side of the; board, that is to say, the side corresponding to the edge 19 of the board (see Figure 1) At the opposite side of the board, the numbers on these score boxes are reversed so that they will read from the opposite side. The se ents 16 also carries boxes 20 and 21 whic indicate respectively "downs" and yards to go, and in addition to this, small circles 22 and 23 are provided which carry numbers indicating the quarter in which the play is supposed to occur and the minutes left to play in the quarter.

Beyond the ring 15, there is provided an outer ring 24, which, for convenience, constitutes the outer ring of the combination of rings, and this ring is divided into segments 25 which correspond to the segments 16 and which are themselves divided into two equal segments 25a and 251). Cu the segment 25, there'isa shaded area 26 which represents the territory of the field 4 which is adjacent the edge-1110f the board, the area or space 27 above this shaded area-indicating the field or territory ofjthe playersupposed to be sitting at the opposite side of "the board. The

a space 27 is provided withljegends indicating-different positions for the ball when it is in the terri-, tory on the remote side of the field 4 as viewed in Figure 1. For example, numbers 1-4 in this area indicate the position'of the ball from 1 to 4 yards from the base line 4a on the field. The shaded area 26 is correspondingly numbered, for example, the numbers -50 on this area indicate a position for the ball near the -yard line of the field and between it and the 30;:yard line in the half of the field which is adjacentthe edge 19 of the board. g 2

Along the outer edge of the segment 25, a plurality of key characters are arranged corresponding to the different legends in the areas 26 and 27 that give difi'erentpositions for the football. For example, along the outer edge of segment 25,

the letters T, T, T, P are inscribed. These letters have no relation to the play 35 suggesting a quick punt", but represent the correct answers to the suggested play on the play No. 15 of the ring 14 lying diametrically opposite to this point. Opposite the shaded area 26, similar letters P, F, F, F, are inscribed located opposite corresponding football positions indicated on this area. In this way, I provide a circumferential line 28 of characters at this point and which are key answers to the football question suggested by a legend corresponding to the legend quick punt, but located at the diametrically opposite point on the board. This line 28 of key answers corresponds to a position of the ring 14 in which the play numbered 1.of'the ring 14 has its arrow 29 (see Figure 1) in alinement with the corresponding arrow 30 on ring 15 and a corresponding arrow 31 on the outer ring 24; and with an ar-- row 29a on the innerfixed part of the board. By shifting the. ring 14 clock-wise through a distance corresponding to the angle subtended by one segment, the next segment and play No. 2 can be lined up with the arrow 30, and this will, of course, bring a different set of the segments 16 opposite to a different set of segments 25 (see Figure 3).

In a similar manner, the outer ring 24 may be shifted so as to aline its arrow 31' with play No. 2,

No. 3, etc., on the ring 14. This would give other variations in the associated conditions of play. By reason of this shifting, a great variety 'of associated conditions may be provided for, which, of course, will increase the'number of key answers for the plays.

Suppose that the ring 15 is shifted from the position indicated in Figure 1, so that the arrow 30 alines' with play No. 2. This, of course, will I change the character of the answers, and for this reason, I provide another row 32 of key answers corresponding to the line or row 28 of answers which are located toward the outer edge of the ring 24. If desired, another row of key characters similar to the row 32 may be added which would correspond to a third shifted position of the ring 14 in which the play numbered 3 on the ring 14 would be alined with the arrow 30 of the ring 15. However, for ordinary football play, sufiicient variety in imposed conditions will be attained by providing for a single shift of the ring 14 through the distance of one segment.

The game apparatus is provided with means for temporarily concealing the key member or answer to the problem or play indicated by a chance device or spinner. In the present instance, at the center 33 of the board 1, I provide an indicator which may consist of a spinner 34 which is in the form of a hand or bar having a pointer 36 on one end and having a shield 37 on the other end. This spinner is preferably made of a thinplate. The shield 3'7 always covers some key answers corresponding to the lines 28 and 32. The pointer 36 is preferably of considerable thickhas as indicated in Figure 2; in other words, it 140 operates 'to counterbalance the weight of the shield'end of the spinner.

v The rings 14, 15v and24 are provided with pins The shield end of the spinner 84 is provided with an upwardly offset portion 48 to provide clearance for these pins 39, 40 and 41 when the spinner is struck by a player and rotated on its central axis or pivot bolt 44 (see Figure 2).

As stated above, the lines or rows 28 and 32 (see Figure 3) indicate the correct answers to a play question indicated by the pointer 36 when pointing to play No. 15 which is diametrically opposite to the play 35. In order to indicate any gain or loss to the player who is supposed to have possession of the ball 11 I provide the following key table, the numbers in which indicate the yards of gain or loss to the player having the ball:

Class of play Excellent Good Fair Poor Terrible Yards Yards Yards Yards In playing the game of football with the apparatus described above and marked as-described, the ball 11 will be advanced or .broughtback on the field according to the gradingor rating of the player's answer in accordance with the above table. For example, supposing that in the ball position indicated in'Figure 1, the spinner, after being spun by the player, points to a suggested play which is judged by the player having the ball to be fair. This presents a problem for solution. If the corresponding key answer is the letter P, it would indicate that this play is really a poor play under the suggested conditions to which the pointer is pointing. If the player Judges this suggested play as being a "good" play 'under the suggested conditions, he would make no gain as indicated by the zero in the "good" column and opposite the word poor at the left side of this table. And another example: Supposing that the player who spun the spinner considered a play to be good which was as a matter of fact a terrible play under the associated conditions, the player would take a loss of 4 yards as indicated by the -4" in the good" column and would be obliged to move his ball back 4 yards toward his own goal line.

The board 1 may be provided with means enabling a test of the player's knowledge of penalties to be brought into the game. In order to accomplish this, I provide a foul ring 45 divided into segments such as the segment 46 in line with the other segments respectively such as the segment that carries the play number 35 I a quick pun Each of the segments such as the segment 46 carries a legend such as the legend roughing the kicker". In hne with. each segment such as the segment 46, I provide another segment 4'7 forming part of an adjacent ring and this segment carries a number such as the number 15 indicating a penalty in yards. The penalty 15 corresponds to an ofl'side play on the other side of the ring 45 diametrically opposite to the segment 47. After the spinner is spim, its pointer 36 indicates, for example, the play quick pun inline with which is the indicated foul roughing the kicker". The player having possession of the ball may then Judge as to what the penalty is for roughing the kicker while the body of the spinner 84 is covering a corresponding penalty number on the other side of the board. If the player's judgment is correct as to the penalty, thepenaltymaybe waivedandnot 3 judged against him; or any other conventional t may be employed for giving the player a gain or loss based upon the correctness of his judgment or knowledge of that penalty.

Preferably, the board is provided with meansfor bringing into the game the defensive element which may be used against the player. In that case, when the pointer of the spinner stops ona certain segment, it also indicates certain associated defense conditions in addition to indicating the score conditions and other associated conditions on any segment corresponding to the seg-' ment 16 (see Figure 3). I provide the board with a plurality of segments 48a, 485 correspondingto each play such as the quick punt" play (see Figure 3), and the segment 48:; carries the abbreviation "Def" above the numeral 6 which ind1-= catesthat there are 6 men in the line of defense. The segment 48b carries the abbreviations or initials indicating the defense formation. For I example, the letters F P indicating that the backfield formation is set to intercept a forward! pass. 'Ihese conditions should be taken into se count in l in the play.

A slightly different game may be played withthisboardinwhich I provide a die (see Figure 1) indicating a hypothetical position for the ball which is indicated on the board by the die 48, but the gain or loss which results from the play is given to another die indicating a football such as the die 11. In other words, the "football 48 is used-in connection with a suggested hypothetical play, and having a different position from the ball 4 11 that is advanced according to the success of the player. In playing this game, the spinner is spun each time to indicate a position for the p thetical "ball" 48 (see Figure 1). This position may be indicated by the number "25 on the I segment 48a which is opposite to a shaded segment 495, these segments being in line with the 11 carrying the words "quick punt". The number 25 on segment 49a indicates that the ball 48 shall be assumed to be on the player's 25-yard line. A specific location for the ball" on the 25-yard line is indicated on two segments 500-501, the upper of which carries the letter L to indicate that the ball is toward the left side of the field; the number 5 in the segment 50b indicatesthat this "ball" is located 5 yards from the left side of the field. This gives a positive loca- 128 tion for the hypothetical ball 48. Having all of these conditions for the position of the ball and the other conditions of play indicated on the segment such as the segment 18, the player then judges the grade of the play, such as the quick as punt play as to whether the play is excellent, good, fair, poor, or "terrible".- Theanswer to this hypothetical football play and problem in thiscaseisnotfoundinthelines28and 32 of the key characters, but is indicated by a row 51 of key'characters on each segment (see Figure 3). smexample, on a central segment corto the segment 52 but diametrically opposite on the board. The lefthand letter P on the segment 52 corresponds to an alinement of the rings 14 and 15, in which the first suggested play number "1 is in line with the arrow 80 and all the other arrows (see Figure 1). The next letter B in this row 51 indicates the key answer '14: to aplay if the play numbered 2" (see Figure 1) has been shifted into line with arrow 30, the other a; arrows remaining in aiinement. Likewise, the 7 next-key letter? to the right of the letter E is a keyanswertoathirdpositionofthe ring14in 18 which the third numbered play would be in line with the arrow 30, and so on.

A third game can be played which entails the use of a key table corresponding to each of the indicated plays. In this game, the players take oil of the board by means of the spinner, the

score, the quarter, the minutes to go, and the suggested play and type of defense and lateral position of the ball. For example, supposing that the play indicated has been a "forward pass, the player would first judge the play in conjunction with the position of the ball on the field, the "downs" off the counter, and the yards to go from the indicator 12, and then refer to the key table corresponding to the alinement of the segments for the proper answer. Supposing, for example, that the board rings were alined as. indicated in Figure 1, then the player would refer to the table forward pass" key No. 1, which would be substantially as follows:

Foawmm Pass Key #1 Yards to go Position of ball Down Y 1; N0. 15 (opponents err) lb and Over 1 F5]? 0 2T'IPPPPPP B'IPPPPPPFGG E E 4TT'lTT'IT'ITT T T l 1 T P1 P P 2TTTTTT. T BTTTTTTPPPP p p 4TTT'1TTTTTT T T 1 T; P P zTTTTT'rT'r 11-20 3TTTTTTTTTP p p 4TT'IT'ITT'IT'I T T l 'l 2TTTTTTTTTT T T 3TTT'IT'ITTTT T T 4TT'lT-TTTTTT T T T 2TTTTTTTTTT T T H 3TTTT'1TTTTT T T 4TTTITTTTTT T T The upper section of this table corresponds to the position of the ball in the opponent's territory, assuming that the opponent is sitting at the edge of the board opposite the edge 19. The lower section indicates ball positions if the ball is in the territory being defended; in other words, when the ball is in the territory between the 50- yard line and the goal line adjacent the edge 19 of the board.

Inasmuch as the technical soundness of a play will depend greatly upon the number of the "down in which the play is made, I provide a column in this key entitled down number. To the right of this column, I provide a number of columns indicating yards to go". In using this table, assuming that the ball in play, such as the ball" 11, is at the position indicated in Figure 1 and the play indicated by the spinner is a "forward pass' the player having the ball in his possession would then declare his grading of the play as to its soundness and the two players would then refer to forward pass key No. 1,

would indicate that the play was terrible and if the player's judgment has been that the play was "terrible, he would receive an advance of the ball in accordance with the table already described carrying the columns excellent, good, fair, poor and "terrible.

It should be understood that the above example is taken at random and does not necessarily indicate under these conditions the play would be bad. This is because some conditions of play have been taken from segments 16 of Figure 3 which corresponds to a quick punt" play.

This game board can be readily adapted for enabling two players to compete with each other in solving problems in mental arithmetic. When the board is adapted for that purpose, I provide theboard with a construction and with legends such as indicated in Figure 4.

This board has a plurality of concentricrings 53, 54, and 55, and these rings are divided into segments such as the segment 53a on which is placed part of a sum in arithmetic. For example, 15 plus 1 divided by 2.. The segment 54:; of ring 54 contains another part of the problem; for example, divided by 2 plus 10 minus 4; and the segment 5511 would carry the last part of the problem; for example, plus 10, multiplied by 2, minus 10.

The rings 53, 54, and 55 may be loose so that they may be shifted to bring different problem parts into alinement with other problem parts. This will present new problems all around the board. The ring 53 carries an arrow A which may aline with corresponding arrows Band C on the rings 54 and 55, respectively. Outside of the ring 53, there is an answer circle 67 and a key circle 68. (See Figure 4.) The answer circle has three columns numbered 1,2, 3 with answers under them, and the keycircle-carrieskey num-v bers 1, 2, 3 arrangedone above the other; The problem is composed of the problem parts in alining sectorson the three circles or rings 53, 54,

' respond to different alined positions of the seg- ;carries the legend Beans.

ments on the different rings 53, 54, and for example, when the three arrows A, B, and C are in alinement with each other all the number 1 segments of these rings will be alined with each other. With this condition, if the arrows are opposite the problem number 1 in problem number ring 69 then the answer for any problem indicated by the pointer 57 would be found at ;the diametrically opposite point under the tail of the spinner and would be found opposite number 1 in the key column and under number 1 of the answer column. If the arrow A is on problem 1, arrow B on problem 2, and arrow C on problem 3 for key number 1, then the answer would be found inkey 1 under the answer number 2, and so on. In other words, the answers are computed for different shifted positions of the rings 53, 54, and 55.

The invention may be embodied in a simple board for a game for children, testing their knowledge on any subject; for example, their knowledge of capitals of States, and the principal products from difierent States, etc. This is illustrated in Figure 5, which indicates the arrangements of legends on two opposite segments 60 and 61 corresponding to the States of Callfornia indicated on the segment 62 and Pennsylvania indicated on the segment 63. The segment i 60, for example, carries the name Harrisburg" which is the capital of Pennsylvania. It also v Supposing that the spinner 64 has been spun and the pointer 65 indicates Harrisburg then the player having spun the spinner would have to tell what State The answer Pennsylvania is found on the segment 63 at the other side of the board and would be covered by the tail or shield portion 66 of the spinner.

Referring again to the football game board, any desired rules of play may be employed, but I prefer to employ rules which simulate the regular game of football.

In playing the game, if desired, the defending player who has not possession of the ball may indicate whether he considers the judgment of the player having the ball in possession in any particular play, is correct or not, and if the defensive player is more correct in his judgment than the offensive player having the ball, he may be rewarded accordingly by giving a loss of ground" to the player having the ball.

In playing the game, the ball would be lost on downs as in the regular game if thefplayer having the ball in possession has not advanced the ball through 10 yards in 4 downs. If it should happen in playing the game that the play indicated by the spinner is impossible or such that the rules of the game can not apply, then 'part of the data involved would be changed the distance to the goal as the required number of yards to go; or supposing, for example, that an offensive player has the ball on his own oneyard line and the play indicated by the spinner, and which he is judging, reads 4th down and one yard to go"; this would be an impossible situation since it would infer that the offensive player in the case has made 9 of his required 10 yards and still has the ball on his own one-yard line; this would raise the inference that he had started his first down by puttingthe ball in play behind his own goal line,an impossible situation. Whenever such inconsistencies are faced, the player shall assume that the ball was put in play on his first down on his own one-yard line and he shall add a sufficient number of yards on .his yards to 'go" to make the play fundamentally sound, according to genuine football possibilities. In the case just cited, the only possible number of yards to go would be 10. If he were on his own 5-yard line and the spinner indicated a third down and two yards to go, the yards to go would need to be changed to 6 to make the situation true. While, I have incorporated a spinner in the board it is evident that in accordance with my invention any chance device can be employed to select a suggested football play accompanying for shifting it like the rings 14, 15 and 24.

While my game board is intended primarily to be used in playing a game by two or four players to test their relative lmowledge of real football. it is obvious it can be used by a single player to coach himself in the fine points .of the game, comparing hisv knowledge of the real game of football with that of an authority on the game.

It is understood that the embodiment of the invention described herein is only one of the many embodiments'this invention may take, and I do not wish to be,limited in the practice of the invention, nor in my claims, to the particular embodiment set forth. i

What I claim is: p

1. A game board apparatus for enabling two players to play a'g'ame simulating football, having a game board with an area composed of segments arranged in correlated opposite pairs, one segment of each pair having means'for indicatof the-players of each suging a football problem for solution, the answer of which is to be determinedpy one of the players, the opposite segment of that pair having means for indicating the correct answer to the said problem, and a spinner mounted at the center of said segments and having means at one end cooperating with the segments of the board to indicate any of said problems, and means at its other end for concealing the indicated answer to the said problem;

2. In a game apparatus for playing a game simulating football, a board having a plurality of concentric rings, oneof said rings having numbers thereonindicating different positions of the ball on the field, one of said rings having means thereon for indicating conditions of play, said board further means for indicating different plays corresponding to'the diiierent conditions of play, a spinner mounted at the center of said rings with a pointer-for cooperating with the last-namedmeans to indicate by chance on one side of the board, a suggested play to be made under the corresponding conditions, and giving opportunity to the player to grade by his own unaided judgment the technical correctness of the suggested play under the said conditions,

. named ring and carrying legends indicating suggested plays, each suggested play corresponding to a segment of the other ring at a diametrically QPDflsite point on the board, another ring. mov- -:able with respect to the other two rings, concentrio with the same and having means for indicating positions of the ball on the field, and capable of being turned to different oriented positions to change the indicated ball position for different plays, a spinner mounted concentric with the said rings and having a pointer cooperating with the indicated conditions on the board and rings to indicate a certain play under certain conditions, sets of key characters disposed circumferentially on theboard and corresponding to different combinations of conditions of play, and indicating the degree of excellence of the suggested play under the given conditions, and means for covering and concealing a portion of the said key characters at a point diametrically opposite to the point indicated by the pointer, to give opportunity to the player to grade by his own unaided judgment the technical correctness of a suggested play under the conditions indicated on the board by the pointer, said last named means being movable to reveal the concealed key characters thereafter.

4. In a game apparatus for playing a game simulating football, a board having a ring divided into segments with each of said segments carrying means for indicating associated conditions of play, a second ring of different diameter from the first-named ring, concentric with the firstnamed ring and carrying legends indicating suggested plays, each suggested play corresponding to a segment of the other ring at a diametrically opposite point on the board, another ring concentric with the first-named rings and having means for indicating positions of the ball on the field,'key characters disposed circumferentially on the board and corresponding to the different segments for indicating the degree of excellence of suggested play under the given conditions, a spinner mounted concentric with the mid rings and having a pointer for cooperating with the second-named ring to indicate a certain play and the conditions of said play, and means for covering and concealing a portion of the said key characters at'a point diametrically opposite to the point indicated by the pointer, to give opportunity to the player to grade by his own unaided judgement the technical correctness. of a suggested play under the indicated playing conditions, said last named means being movable to reveal the concealed key characters thereafter.

5. In a game apparatus for playing a game simulating football, a board having legends located at different points thereon for indicating different football plays, and having legends indicating certain playing conditions corresponding to each play, an indicator on the board for suggesting any one of said indicated football plays with its corresponding conditions, said board having a key thereon composed of characters, each character corresponding to a different play and indicating the degree of excellence of the corresponding play under the said conditions, said indicator having means for shielding from view the character corresponding to the play suggested by the indicator, and capable of being moved thereafter to disclose the shielded character.

6. In a game apparatus for playing a game simulating football, a board having legends located at different points thereon for indicating different football plays, and having legends indicating certain playing conditions corresponding to each play, a spinner on the board for suggesting any one of said indicated football plays with its corresponding conditions, said board having a key thereon composed of characters, each character corresponding to a different play and indicating the degree of excellence of the corresponding play under the said conditions, said spinner having a shield for shielding from view the character corresponding to the play suggested by the spinner, and capable of being moved thereafter to disclose the shielded character.

7. In a game apparatus for playing a game simulating football, a board having relatively movable members capable of being placed in different positions and including means for indicating a plurality of different sets of associated 105 playing conditions, one of said members bearing legends indicating diiferent football plays, each of said different football plays corresponding to a set of said associated conditions, movable means mounted on the board for suggesting one of said football plays, and a key composed of characters on the board, each of said characters corresponding to a certain one of said football plays for indicating the degree of correctness of the suggested play under the said stated conditions in accordance with the technique of real football,

a spinner mounted on the board and having a pointer for suggesting any one of said plays, said spinner having a shield for shielding the key character corresponding to that play, said spinner being movable thereafter to disclose the shielded key character.

8. In a game apparatus for playing a game simulating football, a board having circumferentially disposed segments with divisions thereon located in diiferent positions circumferentially around the segments, with legends indicating certain playing conditions, other segments having divisions in radial alignment with said first divisions with legends thereon for suggesting a certain play corresponding to said conditions, which play may be a good or a bad" play because of said conditions, thereby giving opportimity to the player to grade by his own unaided judgment the correctness of the suggested play under the 185 said conditions, a movable ring mounted on the board concentric with the said segments, said ring having divisions corresponding to the firstnamed divisions and bearing legends indicating special conditions related to the proposed plays and operating to alter the degree of excellence of the suggested'play because of the said special conditions, and a chance device for indicating said suggested plays one at a time.

9.In a game apparatus for playing a game simulating football, a board having circumferentially disposed segments with divisions carrying legends respectively for indicating certain playing conditions, other segments with legends thereon for suggesting a certain play correspond- 15o ing to said conditions, which play my be a "g or a bad play under said conditions, thereby giving opportunity to the player to grade by his own unaided judgment, the correctness of the suggested play under the said conditions, a movable ring concentric with the said segments and having divisions corresponding to the same, said movable ring being capable of movement so that 10. In a game apparatus for playing a game, the combination of a board having legends located at diiferent points thereon for indicating different problems, an indicator on the board for suggesting any one of said indicated problems,

said board having a key thereon composed of characters, each character corresponding to a diiterent problem, said indicator having a shield for concealing irom view a character corresponding to the problem suggested by the indicator, said shield being movable to disclose the concealed character thereafter.

WALTER L. soon. 

